Monday, August 30, 2010

We picked up some delicious fresh peaches at the farm and some of Jane's Homemade vanilla ice cream for a quick peach crisp! It was the perfect dessert on a warm summer night! We learned about Jane's from the butcher - it is so great how the local businesses all support one another - a real community!

We fed this sweet little guy and his buddies right on our deck every morning. I think we could have watched them for hours!

Awesome view of the lake on one of our hikes.

Our little fish at Lake Minnewaska.

The nearby farm and bakery where we had our breakfast in the morning! I want one of those cinnamon muffins right now!

Our last dinner at our country escape. Jeff is becoming quite the griller. Jackson and I love to reap the benefits! These were the biggest, thickest pork chops I've ever seen - we got them from Fleisher's who delivers their meats to Blue Hill and Gramercy Tavern.

We had such a great time being country bump-kins for a long weekend. We can't wait to go back!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Ever since I saw a woman in the coffee shop with this delicate infinity sign tattooed right at the nape of her neck, I have had tattoos on my mind. It was so cool! I wish I had taken a picture. I asked Jeff if we could both get one...he laughed (sigh).

Check out these amazing tattoos from here. I love the bird! Isn't it so pretty?

How delicious and dainty do these lemon bars look? I plan to make them this weekend. We are off to the Hudson Valley today and I am so looking forward to it! I have thoughts of quiet country roads, picnics, hikes with my boys, farmers markets, Jeff barbecuing, lounging on the porch, and the smell of baked goods on my mind. Summer, please stay awhile!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

I picked up this welcome hook two summers ago and thought now might be a good time to put it up! I love yellow. It makes the room brighter and you only need one piece to do the trick! Here are some yellow things I am loving...

Monday, August 23, 2010

Today felt chilly and rainy. It reminded me that fall is right around the corner. On my way home tonight, I even saw a woman walking in her leather boots! I do love the fall and am usually looking forward to cuddling up in big sweaters and jeans. But this year, I am just not ready to shed my flip flops! I am still in summer mode with thoughts of our long weekend in the Hudson Valley ahead of me. Are you ready for the fall?

ps. my sister took this funny pic of me last summer on our family vacation to the Dominican Republic. Someone else is pictured in my belly!;) This picture will always remind me of summer.

Friday, August 20, 2010

...when Jeff and I used to make lovely dinners at home and eat together at the dinner table with a bottle of wine. These days, we are a little busier, of course, and often have quicker meals and plenty of leftovers. But oh tonight, we had a feast.

Here are some pics of the sweetest heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and delicious lemon chicken that I made. We picked up the few ingredients that we needed from our neighborhood market and butcher, Marlow & Daughters. As suggested in The Wednesday Chef, the chicken was accompanied by some rice which worked out nicely as it soaked up the lemon creme-fraiche sauce. Delicious. It will definitely be a "go-to" recipe in my house. Jeff got the last licks of the spoon while I got to take the last bit of bread and wipe the platter clean! As I sit here writing this, I am satisfied.

I hope your weekend offers plenty of delicious food and good company~

...happy weekend!

ps. These great photos were taken by my husband who also had full editing rights;)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

How adorable are these monogrammed table linens from EmersonMade on Remodelista. Seems like a perfect addition to a table setting for an outdoor wedding in the country or a simple garden wedding! They just make me smile!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

I love to cook. I love to bake. I find that it relaxes me to be in the kitchen. I must get it from my mom who, when not sleeping, can always be found in the kitchen cooking. I like getting the list ready, grocery shopping, organizing the ingredients, prepping, chopping, cooking, tasting, and smelling everything. I especially love to do this with a glass of red wine - that is perfect.

It has been a while since I've done this and made a meal for Jeff. So, this week, I declared, that I am going to make him dinner. Chicken. (This is not a shocker to those that know me. I do love chicken.) Another criteria is that it has to be easy and not take three hours to make, simply because Jackson does not have that kind of patience! I searched for a recipe and found this fantastic blog, The Wednesday Chef (I even love the name)! This lemon chicken recipe was voted "Best of the Web" on saveur.com. It only has seven ingredients - five of which can probably be found in your pantry (olive oil, butter, lemon, salt, and pepper). The kicker is that it is topped with a lemon-creme fraiche sauce!

It looks divine, yet seems so simple! I am looking forward to making this lovely dish...but not tonight. So, I guess you are going to have to call me the "Friday chef"...

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Look at these adorable little state teethers from etsy! I just got the little California teether for Jackson since his daddy hails from northern California. Jackson has six teeth now (two below and four up top) and by the looks of all of the drool recently, we believe him to be working on something in there as we speak!

Hopefully, he'll find some relief from the Golden State!

ps. The company, the little sapling toys, uses only organic wood and plants one tree for every toy they sell.

Monday, August 16, 2010

I was flipping through the LL Bean catalog the other day, and just have a look-see at what I found! They've put out a new line, which resembles a lot of J Crew, don't you think? Anyway, I like it! They have updated their fit to include low rise and the lines are cleaner and slimmer. And, the prices aren't too bad either - those cute flats are $89.

I love how simple this canvas ruck sack looks from Makr. I am very much into backpacks since they double as a diaper bag and make it quite easy to carry while I have Jackson in his baby carrier.

Since Makr produces everything in small quantities and concentrates on the best production practices and detail that goes into every producet they make, you'll have to pre-order these babies. For these reasons, they are pricey. But...it just might be worth it!

How pretty is this pile of felt fabric? I love every color! A bit of sunshine on such a gloomy day outside! I just wanted to share since I am so excited for Friday. Jackson and I are going to head into the city, pop into Purl Soho, and take a gander around at the lovely fabric. I hope I won't get too overwhelmed by it all. I am in search of a little inspriration for a craft project I have in mind for Jackson's first birthday (well, more like his Christmas present...!)

Here are some projects that are truly adorable! Jackson is a mad-man now and will simply not stay still on a playmat. So...hmmm...maybe for the next one!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Right around the time that I went back to work, when Jackson was about 4 months old (I can't believe he is 10 months old now!), I started to notice that we were using a crazy amount of paper towels in the house. It seems that there is so much more to wash (and therefore, to dry...) for the baby. I was overly cautious with the baby at the beginning (I think I am less so now)...cleaning everything once, and then, maybe twice over. It seemed totally wasteful.

(Btw, my nesting instinct never really went away. I still feel like the house is a mess and I need to clean and organize everything...! Does this ever go away?! I wonder.)

So, here we are. I haven't bought paper towels for a month or so. I followed a few tips from here. The most important tips were to create "categories" for the towels in terms of their function (for deep clean, for countertops, etc) and to keep the towels organized and accessible to everyone in the house. It was easier than I thought! Here are a few pics to show you how I have them organized!

And...a few of my favorite cloths and napkins that are always in my rotation:

Monday, August 9, 2010

Wouldn't this dress be perfect for a flower girl? Maybe a spring/summer wedding, outdoors, with lavender bouquets...ahhh. I just wish I had found it for my little niece, Lily, when we got married a couple of years ago. (Although, ours was a fall wedding and I still don't think I could have persuaded her to walk down the aisle by herself even with this sweet dress on...!)

Sunday, August 8, 2010

As I am writing this on Sunday night, I am anxious for the busy week ahead, but also happy thinking of the nice weekend I just had with my sisters, niece and nephew and the rest of the family. Plus, we started a new family ritual this past Saturday morning. Bright and early...oh, 6:30am when Jackson wakes...we grabbed some coffee and set off to the playground. The streets were quiet before everyone woke up. It was just me, Jeff, and Jackson. It was...Perfect. Here he is with daddy's hat on, smiling for the camara...

I also wanted to let everyone know about this fantastic shop called Pip-Squeak Chapeau, Etc that I came upon on a stroll in the neighborhood with my family a few months ago. The shop owner makes her collection in Brooklyn of clothing (for adults and kids), and linens from 100% natural yarns and fabrics. The style is so elegant and simple. I dream of having a closet chock full of these one day. I did come away with a couple of her linens, though, for our kitchen - check them out!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Fridays are, by far, the best day of the week for me. It is the day that Jackson and I get to spend together - just him and me. And I just couldn't help but share that beautiful face that I am so lucky to wake up to every morning!

Today, we were very busy...We bought this sweet little tamborine for Jackson at Sweet William, got his aunt some Mast Brothers Chocolate, wrapped her present for tomorrow, and had some fun with our friends in the park! Here are some pics of the chocolate (I couldn't resist taking a photo of the bars since I've been obsessed with their wrapper. They design the wrappers in house and print them locally. Who wouldn't want that anchor print on a little tank or dress?!).

I wrapped it in some burlap and made the card using some stamps my sister got me for Christmas. Oh boy, we hope she likes it!

HELLO!

Welcome! I'm Melissa and this is where I document the simple joys in my life and my attempt to cut out all of the unnecessary stuff along the way; mostly, here, I share the sheer satisfaction I am finding being a wife to my husband and a mama to our new little love, jackson. Thanks for reading!